TANZANIA Safari POETRY: Poems 1 and 2 (of 16)
Many Kilimanjaro climbs are followed by a safari, and ours was no exception. Also, poetic reflections kept on coming, and will be included in the blog posts immediately following. You might also like to look back at my other poetic safari experiences from 2006: general observations, as well as those specific to experiences in Botswana and Zambia.
The 16 poems from the Tanzania trip have slightly different emphases and perspectives. Though there are many aha moments, the magic of first-time marveling isn’t quite as pronounced. Also, having just climbed Kilimanjaro, any experience, no matter how special, is hard to juxtapose.
All 16 poems will be posted chronologically (over 9 blog pieces, which includes this one). The first four poems were written in the Serengeti, which, for me, was the most potent wildlife experience.
Poems 1 and 2 are the first two Serengeti poems.
1. Safari, Day 2
The chorus starts well before dawn
Songs and signals
The volume rises
And still it’s dark outside
Beyond our tents so many animals hide
It’s their space
Not ours
We’re visitors here
Zipped in for the night
Nothing should we fear
Escort with bow an arrow led the way
And, in our tents, we’re supposed to stay
Window canvas open, mesh protecting
A dark clear sky is all we see
Starry, starry, starry night.
2. Safari Recap—Day 1 - 2
Antelope, gazelles, jackals
Warthogs, lions with cubs
Hyenas and leopard
Elephants, giraffes, zebra
Wildebeest
Hippos, swallows, vultures…
To name but some that we saw
A thirst for more
And, disappointed we weren’t
Next day, a whole day drive
The feeling of being so alive
Watching in wonder and awe
Just as you thought you’d seen the best
Then came more
Dead zebra and hypo
Natural deaths
Dead jackal
Road kill
Wounded and bloodied zebra
Lion kissed but missed
Another lion charging for prey
Not fast enough
All ran away
At the watering hole they knew what to do
Flap their tails, grunt, and cry
None of them were going to die
Solitary bull giraffes
Gave us interesting views
But, a herd of elephants, our very best news
Monkeys preened
Baboons watched over lionesses and their cubs
Tourist-contained jeeps gathered in hubs
Hippos—a hundred or more
Wallowing in their pooh
The biggest outdoor loo
Crocodiles and birds provided picturesque backdrops
So many stops!
A Hamerkop’s giant nest
Oxpacka birds’ symbiosis with giraffes
So many herds
So many terds.
